The first U.S. troops to deploy after the Sept. 11 attacks are suffering from radiation exposure that the government has yet to officially recognize 23 years later. They are a final group of 9/11 service members that comedian Jon Stewart, a champion for first responders, can’t leave behind.

Special operations forces were sent to a former Soviet base in Uzbekistan in early October 2001, where they launched the first missions against the Taliban in Afghanistan, including the secret horseback operation depicted in the movie “12 Strong.” Over the next four years, more than 15,000 U.S. troops deployed to Karshi-Khanabad, known as K2.

Troops found clumps of yellow powder scattered near bunkers where Soviet troops had stored missiles. Testing showed it was radioactive uranium, according to a declassified November 2001 Defense Department assessment.

  • chemical_cutthroat@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    Say what you want about how handsome he is, or how witty he is, or how intelligent he is, or how big his dick is, Jon truly is a man of the people first and foremost.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    7 days ago

    Stewart chose one of the things he cared about the most, and he stuck with it for the long haul. Mad respect.

    That’s staying on message.

    There’s young people who were born after 9/11 who are adults now. Would any of them even know that this had happened to 9/11 troops if it weren’t for the efforts of someone like Jon Stewart, still clanging the bell 23 years later?

  • BigMacHole@lemm.ee
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    7 days ago

    Jon Stewart is a WOKE SOCIALIST! TRUE Patriots call our Troops Losers and Suckers and ASSAULT people at Arlington Cemetery during a Campaign Photo Op!

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    The first U.S. troops to deploy after the Sept. 11 attacks are suffering from radiation exposure that the government has yet to officially recognize 23 years later.

    Damn. Its Gulf War Syndrome and Agent Orange all over again. I was so close to joining the military right after 9/11. Happened a week after my 19th birthday, and I thought “Fuck I guess this must be a sign or something”. Whole family had a parade of “Don’t join the military that’s fucking stupid they treat people like shit and you’d be throwing your life away” condemnations for even suggesting the idea. Probably saved my fucking life.

    Friends don’t let friends enlist.

  • comador @lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    I wish him luck, but I doubt they’ll get the help they need.

    Fucking VA wouldn’t acknowledge my Dad’s Vietnam War created tinnitus or PTSD for 45 years.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      6 days ago

      Jon has a pretty good record with this stuff, and he doesn’t seem to give up until he gets it. He’s like a dog with a bone.

      There are probably people who read headlines like this and lose sleep because they know Jon Stewart is about to turn their shitty world upside down until they do the right thing.

  • NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml
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    6 days ago

    In his Weekly Show podcast this past week he offered a lot of commentary about his experience trying to get that initial burn-pits bill passed in government. It was interesting and worth listening to.

  • Nytefyre@kbin.melroy.org
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    7 days ago

    Meanwhile, GOP going around saying they care about the troops.

    Bruh, the only time they care of the troops is when they’re actively serving their interests - if barely. They don’t give a shit once they dump you out and struggling.